Improving Inter-Urban Passenger Rail in Ontario SWEA Regional Passenger Transportation Summit

1. Improving Inter-Urban Passenger Rail in OntarioSWEA Regional Passenger Transportation Summit Peter Miasek Transport Action Ontario November 14, 2013 www.transport-action.ca/ontario

2. Symbolism vs. Reality • National Railway Day, Nov 7 - declared in 2010 to commemorate driving of the last spike for the CPR in 1885 • New $10 bill – shows the Canadian that links the country • Reality – Minister Raitt statement on National Railway Day: “New economic opportunities still require rail to link Canadian goods to waiting markets”. Silent on Passenger Rail!! • Reality on the ground – Derailments, cuts to VIA, branch line abandonments

4. Citizen Advocacy for Improved Passenger Rail • Transport Action • Nation-wide NGO advocating for sustainable transportation since 1976 • 5 regional affiliates, including Transport Action Ontario • Strong technical strength. Website, reports, newsletters • Local NGO’s • e.g. RAIL (Lambton Co.), SaveVIA (St Mary’s), NEORN (N. Ontario) • Awareness-building, petitions, chair-ins, municipal resolutions • Meetings with elected officials and VIA. Pilot project idea • Citizen advocacy can be powerful if messages are realistic and consistent • “Citizen’s Guide to Sustainable Transportation Advocacy” • On Transport Action Ontario website

5. Recent Examples of Rail Advocacy by Transport Action • Presentation to Standing Committee on General Government, Queen’s Park. • “Increasing the Provincial Role in Intercity Passenger Rail and Bus Transportation” April 10, 2013 • Development of Practical Short-Term Visions: • “A Wedding Band of Confederation: Restoring Rail Passenger Service to Ontario’s North Shore and Across Canada” June 3, 2013 • “Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail Sector” November 6, 2013

6. Summary of “Increasing Provincial Role in Passenger Rail and Bus Transportation” • VIA cutbacks in 2012 just the latest of a long trend • Bus service has also deteriorated. • Numerous factors are increasing the need for more rail: • Urban area congestion • Corporate travel preferences • USA rail investment • Cost of auto ownership • Aging demographics • Environmental • “National Dream Renewed” campaign – 13 town hall meetings across Ontario and Maritimes in 2012 – 2013.

7. Ontario Passenger Rail Network in 1962

8. Ontario Passenger Rail Network in 2012

9. Summary of “Increasing Provincial Role in Passenger Rail and Bus Transportation” (cont’d) • What the province can do: • Formal agreement with federal government on intercity passenger rail cooperation • Create a planning agency to coordinate and support intercity public transportation in Northern Ontario (Metrolinx “North”) • Declare a provincial interest in all upcoming rail line abandonments • Promote operational cooperation between VIA and GO Transit

10. Summary of “Restoring Rail Passenger Service to Ontario’s North Shore and Across Canada” • Funding provided by Bruce Hyer, MP Thunder Bay – Superior North and Transport Action • Prepared by Greg Gormick, noted Canadian rail transportation consultant and writer • North Shore challenges and solutions: • National Rail Passenger Policy • Adequate and stable funding for VIA • VIA track access on freight lines • Long Haul cost-recovery • Northern Ontario Service Review – includes using refurbished Budd RDC’s (Transport Canada to resolve alleged CN safety concerns). • VIA Rail Canada Act. Model from Amtrak approach

11. Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC)

12. Summary of “Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail Sector” • Funding from five New Brunswick cities and one economic agency, under coordination of Transport Action. • Prepared by Greg Gormick. • Timing for revitalization is good due to new Federal Minister (2013), new VIA President (2014), in-depth audit of VIA (underway) • Report recommends actions on several issues, including VIA’s halving of the frequency of the Ocean passenger service in 2012

13. Summary of “Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail Sector” (cont’d) • Recommended actions in response to VIA cutbacks of 2012: • Municipal resolutions and direct approach to Minister Raitt • Interim service using available Budd RDCs. Resolve alleged safety concerns by CN • Scope connecting bus service • Investigate transferring ownership of VIA stations to municipalities • VIA to form a consultation committee • Investigation by Auditor General as part of 5-year VIA audit • Encourage FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)

14. Potential Short-Term Steps to Improving Passenger Rail in Southwestern Ontario • Establish regional working group ideally with VIA participation. • Citizen awareness and activism • Obtain provincial and federal support in principle • Develop feasible concept plan (2-5 year horizon) that people can rally around: • Network – Rail and Connecting Bus • Equipment (Budd RDC per 2009 VIA proposal?) • Station ownership • Service level • Develop Business Plan for 2 year pilot program: • Operations • Marketing – major public awareness program • Costs, fares, funding (multi government) • Implement pilot and draw conclusions for further work

15. Longer Term Ideas and Needs • Emulate similar US corridors • Toronto-Kitchener-London 195 km, 4.2 Million Population • San Francisco–Oakland-Sacramento 145 km, 3.6 Million Population • Improved passenger comfort (Siemens Railjet Video) • Improved corridor safety • Petroleum movements • Crossings upgrade • Airport Links

16. Amtrak Capital Corridor vs. VIA North Main Line

17. THANK YOU!